Fabulous Frocks

by Jane Eastoe, Sarah Gristwood

No item of clothing has endured for longer than the dress. Yet the last century alone has seen the most radical changes of style – hemlines swinging from ankle to thigh; outlines alternating between the body-hugging and the bell – and our fascination with ‘the frock’ has not gone away. This book contains everything you need to know about modern history of dress design, from the corset-free styles of 1920s flappers to the conceptual constructions of modern artists. Since Coco Chanel invented the little black dress in 1926 it has become a staple for a woman's wardrobe. Even considering the many decades it’s been since women discovered trousers and separates, women dream of wearing glorious, glamorous gowns, whether it’s on the Hollywood red carpet, or perhaps on her wedding day… No item of clothing has endured for longer than the dress. Yet the last century alone has seen the most radical changes of style – hemlines swinging from ankle to thigh; outlines alternating between the body-hugging and the bell – and our fascination with ‘the frock’ has not gone away. From Gres’ draping to Dior’s New Look, from Mary Quant’s mini to Hussein Chalayan’s mechanical marvels and Kate Middleton’s wedding dress, this book looks at the dress in a century of fashion. Thematic chapters set out the inspirations and implications for each new change in style alongside stunning photography. A celebration of the dress in all its forms,  Fabulous Frocks  is sure to fire any fashionista’s imagination. ‘A glorious celebration of a hundred years of the dress’ –  Daily Mail   Sarah Gristwood is a best-selling Tudor biographer, former film journalist, and commentator on royal affairs.

Genres: Fashion, Nonfiction, Art

200 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2009

Reviews

[Susanna Robertson-Sheath · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charity shop find, but I had been looking for a fashion history book for a while. This was a great read with lovely full colour photos. A book like this really needs photos & the ones included serve to portray the change in tastes and designs. I would recommend if you're interested but I would argue that this book would be best suited to someone already with an interest in fashion history rather than attempting to convert someone.

Very good book overall!

[Elizabeth Zimmerman · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Regina Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The dresses and quotes are fabulous, especially the one by Coco Chanel! “Scheherazade is easy; a little black dress is difficult.”